The lineup is thin on non-import starters. Without a nickelback, the Lions would be vulnerable to first-down pass plays. They can't afford to have Bighill and Lokombo chasing slotbacks across the field or dropping into deep zone coverage. Bringing in an international nickelback and dime back in passing situations would mean sitting an international defensive lineman (easily done with a three-man front) AND linebacker (Elimimian or Bighill) or two international linemen. The Lions don't have proven depth on the DL for the latter option.The_Pauser wrote:I think our roster looks solid. We have the 3rd pick in the upcoming draft and should be getting a very good Canadian talent (hopefully O-Line). Our current projected starters that I can see:
QB - Jonathan Jennings
RB - Anthony Allen/Jeremiah Johnson
SB - Emmanuel Arceneaux
SB - Bryan Burnham
R - Nick Moore
WR - Lavelle Hawkins
WR - Shawn Gore (N)
LT - Tommy Draheim
LG - Hunter Steward (N)
C - Cam Thorn (N)
RG - Kirby Fabien (N)
RT - Jovan Olafioye
DE - Jabar Westerman/David Menard (N)
DE - Alex Bazzie/Craig Roh
DT - Mic'hael Brooks
DT - Zach Minter
OLB - Adam Bighill
MLB - Solomon Elimimian
OLB - Bo Lokombo (N)
CB - Ronnie Yell
CB - TJ Lee
HB - Brandon Stewart
HB - Ryan Phillips
S - Mike Edem/Eric Fraser (N)
So there I count 7 National starters (almost all having quality backups behind them with Iannuzzi, Player, Husband still on the roster).
Would be nice if we could get Collie back, but overall I think we're in pretty good shape.
The nickelback position is too important in CFL defences to be ignored or given to a part-time player. Without knowing how Mark Washington plans to fill that role, it's hard to project the rest of the starters on either side of the ball.